Abstract: A rotary actuator for positioning a recording head in a data storage mechanism and that includes first and second cylindrical subassemblies separated by an air gap. One of the subassemblies includes a magnetically conductive core with an electrically conductive coil wrapped thereover to enable first and second current flow directions in the circuit. The other of the subassemblies includes a magnetically conductive core and at least one magnet secured thereto. Transmission of an electric current through the electrically conductive coil induces rotation of one of the subassemblies relative to the other of the subassemblies to rotate the recording head about an axis that is perpendicular to recording media on the recording head. The disclosed rotary actuator facilitates quick and accurate recording head position changes due to low inertia of the rotating subassembly as well as reduced inductance and symmetrical mass distribution of the actuator.

Abstract: A head assembly according to one embodiment includes at least one module having magnetic transducers for reading and/or writing to a magnetic tape; electronics electrically coupled to the transducers, the electronics comprising at least one of amplifiers; bias circuitry; write drivers; write resistors; a memory device; and a chip with at least one of identification information about the head assembly, customization data, and firmware; and a connector for detachably interfacing to a drive having a head region for receiving the head assembly. A magnetic tape drive according to one embodiment includes a head region for removably receiving a head assembly; a mechanical interface to facilitate alignment of the head assembly when inserted in the head region; and a connector for detachably interfacing with the head assembly. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: A dual pole linear actuator includes a dual pole magnet assembly that is moved by providing a bi-directional analog DC control signal to a dual wound coil. The dual pole magnet assembly includes a permanent magnet that is flanked by top and bottom pole pieces. The dual wound coil is assembled to an actuator housing with a top part of the coil being wound in one rotary direction, while the bottom part of the coil is wound in the opposite rotary direction.

Abstract: A system according to one embodiment includes a first portion comprising at least a portion of a coil structure and at least a portion of a magnetic yoke, the first portion being oriented at an angle of greater than 0° and less than 90° relative to a substantially planar portion of an underlying substrate; a first pole; a second pole; and a write gap, a portion of the write gap having a plane of deposition oriented about perpendicular to a final media-facing surface of the write gap.

Abstract: An actuator for a tape drive is disclosed. The actuator has a moving mass and a non-moving mass. The non-moving mass is at least 107 grams.

Abstract: A flexible circuit having a first end attached to a clamping mechanism and a second end attached to a carriage to move, a magnetic head to read a tape. The clamping mechanism has a curved surface to allow the flexible circuit to maintain an S-shape when the magnetic head moves with respect to the magnetic tape.

Abstract: A dual pole linear actuator includes a dual pole magnet assembly that is moved by providing a bi-directional analog DC control signal to a dual wound coil. The dual pole magnet assembly includes a permanent magnet that is flanked by top and bottom pole pieces. The dual wound coil is assembled to an actuator housing with a top part of the coil being wound in one rotary direction, while the bottom part of the coil is wound in the opposite rotary direction.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic read head having a balanced capacitive coupling with the substrate. The read head includes a magnetoresistive sensor with first and second magnetic, electrically conductive shields separated from a substrate by a layer of non-magnetic, electrically insulating material. A dummy magnetic shield is formed on the non-magnetic electrically insulating layer and is electrically connected with the second magnetic, electrically conductive shield. The dummy shield is formed to have a capacitive coupling with the substrate that matches the capacitive coupling of the first magnetic, electrically conductive shield with the substrate.

Abstract: In one embodiment a transducer head assembly is disclosed having a head module. The head module comprises at least one media bearer element providing a media bearer surface, and a head element block having an array of head elements. The assembly further comprises a carrier structure to carry the head module, and an actuator to move the head element block relative to the at least one media bearer element. Tape drive apparatus having actuator apparatus to cause relative displacement between head element blocks is also disclosed. A transducer head module and a method of making a transducer head assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed for a flexible circuit. In one embodiment, the flexible circuit bends on a curved surface to form a partial loop.

Abstract: A servo writer for writing a servo signal in a running tape memory medium comprises: a head which is arranged in a vicinity of a running path of the running tape memory medium; and a pair of guides which are disposed adjacent to the head in an upstream and downstream of the head in a tape running direction, wherein at least one of the head and pair of guides has a flange with which one edge the tape memory medium set in the running path runs is in contact, while the tape memory medium is running between the pair of guides, wherein the head has a sliding surface which slides in contact with a recording surface of the running tape memory medium, wherein the sliding surface is set with an inclination against a tape width direction of the tape memory medium, and the tape memory medium, which is running, is guided by the flange by having the one edge of the tape memory medium slide in contact with the flange.

Abstract: A laminated ferrimagnetic thin film consists of two ferromagnetic layers and a non-magnetic intermediate layer sandwiched therebetween. The respective ferromagnetic layers are magnetically coupled in an anti-ferromagnetic manner through the non-magnetic intermediate layer. Each ferromagnetic layer consists of a plurality of layers. In each ferromagnetic layer, a layer which is in contact with the non-magnetic intermediate layer is formed of Co or an alloy including Co while at least one layer is formed of Ni or an alloy including Ni, and its film thickness is determined to be at least 60% or more of a film thickness of each ferromagnetic layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a drum assembly associated with a digital betacam video tape machine is disclosed. The method includes providing a helical scan drum assembly having a stationary upper drum, a stationary lower drum and a plurality of rotating read/write heads disposed between the stationary upper and lower drums. The rotating read/write heads reading and writing digital information to and from a tape. The method further includes inserting air grooves in the outer peripheral surface of the upper drum. The air grooves are configured to reduce sticktion between the tape and the outer peripheral surface of the upper drum when the tape is moved around the outer peripheral surface of the upper drum. The method additional includes mounting an adjustable band to the outer peripheral surface of the lower drum. The adjustable band is configured to guide the tape around the drum assembly in accordance with helical scans when the tape is moved around the outer peripheral surface of the upper drum.

Abstract: A tape drive comprises a magnetic head and a flexible circuit coupled to the magnetic head. The flexible circuit comprises a rolling loop and a double layer portion that extends at least partially through the rolling loop.

Abstract: A magnetic head device includes terminal pads formed on a side surface of a magnetic head, the magnetic head being installed on the edge of one surface side of a base plate; and a flexible wiring board comprising a connection terminal portion connected to each of the terminal pads of the magnetic head, a wiring extension portion extended from the connection terminal portion, and an extension terminal portion extended from the wiring extension portion. Herein, the connection terminal portion is disposed on the one surface of the base plate adjacently to the terminal pads of the magnetic head on the base plate; the wiring extension portion is folded back toward the other surface side of the base plate; the extension terminal portion is mounted on the other surface of the base plate; and the connection terminal portion and each of the terminal pads of the magnetic head are electrically interconnected.

Abstract: A read/write head of a magnetic tape drive is provided, where the matrix write head is provided as a part of an overall flat structure that utilizes the atmospheric pressure to hold the tape against the operational surface of the write head. The read head portion is provided to enable reading of the data immediately after it is written. The present head structure permits writing and reading of written data in both tape travel directions. The matrix write head portions are on chips and wear parts are in the upstream direction with respect to the tape travel from the write head. The wear parts provide a shape edge over which the tape moves. The read head is either optical or magnetic and is between two portions of the write head.

Abstract: A tape drive comprises a magnetic head and a flexible circuit coupled to the magnetic head. The flexible circuit comprises a rolling loop and a double layer portion that extends at least partially through the rolling loop.

Abstract: A read/write head of a magnetic tape drive is provided, where the matrix write head is provided as a part of an overall flat structure that utilizes the atmospheric pressure to hold the tape against the operational surface of the write head. The read head portion is provided to enable reading of the data immediately after it is written. The present head structure permits writing and reading of written data in both tape travel directions. The matrix write head portions are on chips and wear parts are in the upstream direction with respect to the tape travel from the write head. The wear parts provide a shape edge over which the tape moves. The read head is either optical or magnetic and is between two portions of the write head.

Abstract: A recording and reproduction apparatus has a medium door which is disposed on the front of a medium insertion slot and opens or closes the medium insertion slot. An opening and closing mechanism allows the medium door to enter the medium insertion slot in response to an operation of trying to insert a predetermined medium into the medium insertion slot thereby to open the medium insertion slot.

Abstract: A magnetic head device includes terminal pads formed on a side surface of a magnetic head, the magnetic head being installed on the edge of one surface side of a base plate; and a flexible wiring board comprising a connection terminal portion connected to each of the terminal pads of the magnetic head, a wiring extension portion extended from the connection terminal portion, and an extension terminal portion extended from the wiring extension portion. Herein, the connection terminal portion is disposed on the one surface of the base plate adjacently to the terminal pads of the magnetic head on the base plate; the wiring extension portion is folded back toward the other surface side of the base plate; the extension terminal portion is mounted on the other surface of the base plate; and the connection terminal portion and each of the terminal pads of the magnetic head are electrically interconnected.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic head including a plurality of magnetic head elements disposed on a head support in a direction across a magnetic tape and a plurality of connection terminals disposed on the head support, for each of the magnetic head elements, in a direction perpendicular to the signal recording surface of the magnetic tape. Even a large number of magnetic head elements can be electrically connected to an external circuit in an appropriate and simple manner.